soil sampling

Scope of Work:
In preparation of demolition of a 1930’s bridge, PENNDOT encountered lead in the soil beneath the span. Lead had reached the soil from the paint as it weathered through the years and from past sandblasting operations to prepare the bridge for repainting. Removal of the contaminated soil was required for the project to continue.

High concentrations of lead were determined through analystical testing in the top 12 inches of soil. The soil was a mix of loose granulated slag and sandy loam. The hillside beneath the bridge was steep with a 1-to-1 slope (45 degrees) and about 150 feet long.

The long, steep slope made use of conventional excavating equipment impractical and dangerous. Instead, Neumeyer Environmental utilized a HEPA filtered high-volume vacuum pump. Workmen traversed the slope, tethered to supporting ropes with full body harnesses, and pumped the contaminated soil using five-inch diameter vacuum hoses. The vacuum transferred the soil up the slope to a bagging station. Tthe contaminated soil was disposed at regulated facility.

Neumeyer Environmental removed 817 tons of contaminated soil from the slope in two weeks.

Removing Lead and Contaminated Soil from Steep Slope using HEPA Filter VacuumRemoving Lead and Contaminated Soil from Pier AreaWork was Performed Using Fall Protection EquipmentHEPA Filter Vacuum

Scope of Work:
Stemple & Ward purchased a public transportation garage and converted it to an electric motor winding facility. Years afterwards, gasoline odors began seeping through the sewage vents. Investigation identified four historic 5,000 gallon underground storage tanks previously used for leaded gasoline. The tanks had leaked into the surrounding subsoils and migrated into the storm sewers.

Neumeyer Environmental used ground-penetrating radar to locate the tanks. We excavated the tanks and removed the mix of water and product. Neumeyer Environmental shipped 20,000 gallons off-site to a recycler for processing. Neumeyer Environmental purged the tanks of flammable gas, removed and disposed them at a licensed tank disposal facility. 2,500 tons of adjacent subsoils required removal and disposal at a regulated facility.

Scope of Work:
A primary bridge over French Creek in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania was being replaced by PennDOT. Several environmental issues required address as part of the work including lead paint and asbestos-containing materials on the existing bridge and elevated contaminants in the subsurface soils. The piers and subsurface preparations were within a former steel-making facility with elevated inorganic constituents of concern. Neumeyer Environmental was contracted to address and manage these environmental aspects of the work.

Management of on-site soils required sampling and analysis, use of personal protective equipment, segregation of contaminated materials and water quality issues associated with installation of the pier adjacent to French Creek.

Neumeyer Environmental performed select earthwork, demolition, on-site placement and off-site disposal of surplus materials and debris. We also managed the discharge waters from the coffer dam by installing a high volume pump and treat system that allowed direct discharge to French Creek. The project required approximately 10 months to complete from plan preparation and sampling through excavation of the pier subgrade.

Scope of Work:
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission constructed a new interchange at Warrendale (Milepost #31). An abandoned gasoline station built in the 1950s had occupied part of the construction site. The gas station’s ten gasoline and diesel tanks, ranging from 3,000 to 10,000 gallons capacity, had leaked fuel into the soil. Cleanup was required prior to the beginning of new construction.

Neumeyer Environmental excavated 3,000 tons of contaminated soil and transported it to a thermal processing facility where it was cleaned for recycling for use as roadway subbase on the project. Neumeyer Environmental removed and disposed of 100 tons of hazardous soil, 1,000 gallons of contaminated liquids, and the remnants of the underground fuel system. We also decontaminated and disposed of the old fuel tanks.

Scope of Work:
The Regional Industrial Development Corporation (RIDC) constructed a roadway to convey traffic over an existing rail line to Duquesne Riverplace at the old Duquesne Works Steel Mill property. The property was approved as an ACT 2 site and is currently under phased redevelopment.

Management of on-site soils required extensive sampling and analysis, use of personal protective equipment, segregation of contaminated materials and removal and management of subsurface debris due to the historical steel-making activities.

Neumeyer Environmental evaluated and managed approximately 40,000 cubic yards of impacted soils in preparation of the more than 3,000 linear feet of road construction. We worked in close coordination with the prime contractor to develop approaches that facilitated project completion and minimized costs.

Neumeyer Environmental performed the earthwork, demolition and on-site placement of surplus materials and debris such that the majority of the materials were able to be beneficially re-used on-site. Remnants of asbestos containing materials were encountered during the excavation that required abatement during portions of the work. Neumeyer Environmental was able to minimize the schedule impacts that may have resulted from this previously-unknown development. The project required approximately 14 months to complete from sampling through final excavation